The line between victory and defeat has been razor-thin this season for the Green Bay Packers. Here is a list of ten plays that will lose you games in the NFL.
Green Bay Packers Offensive Line Struggles
Play One
(8:07 First Quarter) (No Huddle) A.Jones left tackle to GB 28 for -1 yards D. Jones). 2nd & 6 at GB 29. (-1 Yard Run)(Result – 3rd and 7)
After a four-yard run on the opening play, the Packers get beat on a block by D.J. Jones. Instead of 3rd and short, it becomes 3rd and 7. If you want to get started on offense quicker, this isn’t the way to do it. This kind of play kills a drive.
Play Two
(2:46 First Quarter) (Shotgun) J.Love pass incomplete deep left to J.Reed (P.Surtain—penalty on GB -R Walker, Face Mask, declined. 3rd & 7 at DEN 46. (Pass Incomplete)(Result – Punt)
This one is a double whammy. It’s a poor read and throw from Love and a penalty to put the icing on the cake on a terrible third-down play. Mistakes and poor execution killed another drive.
Green Bay Packers Offense With Poor Execution
Play Three
(11:20 Second Quarter) J.Love passes short left to C.Watson to GB 37 for -2 yards (R.Perkins). 1st & 10 at GB 39 (-2 Yard Pass) (Result – 2nd and 12)
Another negative play. While a block was missed on the outside, the play call wasn’t very good. Lafluer is already getting away from the run one quarter into the game. On first down, the Packers had been running the ball well. Two plays later, Denver gets called for a Neutral Zone Infraction. So if the Packers can turn that negative play into a positive one, you’re either looking at 3rd and very short, or Denver gifts you a first down on a penalty.
Play Four
(1:15) (Shotgun) PENALTY on GB-R.Walker, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at DEN 25 – No Play. 3rd & 4 at DEN 25 (-5 Yard Penalty) (Result- 3rd and 9)
This was the game’s first drive where Green Bay seemed to have life. They went 12 plays for 52. The Packers had yet another opportunity to convert on 3rd and short. Instead of taking advantage of that opportunity, another drive-killing penalty. Which eventually sets up a missed field goal.
Green Bay Packers Kicker Finally Misses
Play Five
(:46 Second Quarter) A.Carlson’s 43-yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center -M. Orzech, Holder-D.Whelan. 4th & 4 at DEN 25 (Field Goal No Good)
Missing a very makeable field goal in a close game will lose you the game every time. This also sets up a short field for Denver to drive down and kick a field goal of their own. This was a 6 point swing. That’s a backbreaker for an offense trying to get something going.
Play Six
(:2 Second Quarter) (Shotgun) R.Wilson scrambles left guard to GB 17 for 21 yards (Eric Wilson; R.Ford). 1st & 10 at GB 38 (21 Yard Run)
The defense had a few chances to impact this game. Allowing Wilson to scramble for 21 yards and putting Denver in field goal range was not their brightest moment. Whether it’s effort, ability, or scheme, it doesn’t matter. You can’t win games when you give up plays like this.
Rush Defense Struggles Again
Play Seven
(9:52 Third Quarter) J.Williams right tackle to GB 36 for 21 yards (R.Douglas; R.Ford). 1s & 10 at DEN 43 (21 Yard Run)
The drive after the Packers can get some points on the board and positive momentum. The defense, yet again, gives up two explosive plays in a row. This drive eventually becomes a touchdown for a team that has been terrible in the 2nd half of games. The defense came out flat and not ready. You can’t win football games like that.
Play Eight
(5:51 Third Quarter (Shotgun) R. Wilson passes short middle to J. Jeudy pushed ob at GB 39 for 16 yards (C. Valentine). DEN-J. Jeudy was injured during the play. 2nd & 5 at DEN 45 (16 Yard Pass)
Carrington Valentine played 59 snaps on defense. That was tied for the most snaps by a defensive player. The Broncos took advantage of most of those snaps. According to PFF, Valentine was the worst defender in coverage with a 44.8. He was targeted seven times. Six of them were completed for 89 yards. He made the tackle on all but one catch, but you’d like to see him make a few more plays.
Green Bay Packers: Penalties, Penalties, and More Penalties
Play Nine
(2:00 Fourth Quarter) (Shotgun) J.Love left tackle to DEN 40 for 4 yards (J.Jew ll). PENALTY on GB-E.Jenkins, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at DEN 44 – No Play. 2nd & 10 at DEN 44 (-10 Yard Penalty) (Result – 2nd and 20)
Another drive-killing penalty! This one committed on the drive that could win you the game. Not to mention by one of the team’s most tenured, well-respected players. You can’t expect success when you don’t give yourself a fair chance. It’s something the Packers haven’t done all season. This inevitably leads to play ten on this list.
Play Ten
(1:52) (Shotgun) J.Love pass deep right intended for S. Toure INTERCEPTED by P.Locke at DEN 12. P. Locke to DEN 26 for 4 yards (T. Kraft). 3rd & 20 at GB 46 (Interception)
It was a poor decision by Jordan Love. Just because a play is drawn up to go to a specific receiver doesn’t mean you have to throw it. Sometimes, living to fight another down is the way to go. This is another drive killer. Rodgers always used to say, “Ball security is job security.” You wish Jordan would have listened to that a little more in the last few games.
Conclusion
The reason I wrote this article the way that I did was to try to illustrate something. Packers fans aren’t used to this level of incompetence. Most people in the media want to lay the blame at one person’s feet. I hope this shows that it isn’t one player or coach — it’s everyone. From one of our most experienced players in Jenkins. To rookies like Rasheed Walker and Valentine. Whether it’s Jordan Love or Matt Lafleur, everyone on this team, from top to bottom, isn’t doing a good enough job. There is no simple answer to fix this team. However, I am encouraged by a quote from L.M. Montgomery, “Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?”.
